Conductor - Ian Higginson

Ian was born on Merseyside and moved to Gloucestershire in 1983. He studied conducting with the late Dr. Melville Cook, Sir David Willcocks, and Jonathan Delmar.

Ian is currently Musical Director for the University of Gloucestershire. In addition to conducting Cirencester Philharmonia, he is also Conductor and Musical Director for Jubilate Chamber Choir (Cheltenham), Cheltenham Choral Society, the English Concertante Orchestra, organist & tutor in organ and piano at St. Edward's School, Cheltenham and Principal of Three Counties School of Music, which is a music assessment board for grades, performance certificates & external diplomas.

For several years, Ian was Organist and Assistant Director of Music for the Cathedral Singers of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and has performed in many Cathedrals and concert venues both as conductor and organist both in the UK and abroad.

He has composed a wide range of music, most of which is published and his music has won critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Some of Ian's music has also been selected as set works for various examination board syllabuses, plus set pieces for competitive festivals around the UK.

Ian's music has been performed by many leading choirs and orchestras including the CBSO Chorus and Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, Bristol Cathedral Concert Choir and orchestra, The City of Glasgow Chorus and Orchestra and at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in the USA.

Ian holds a DMus Degree in composition, in addition to several Fellowship Diplomas from various prestigious musical institutions in the UK and abroad.
In 2006 Ian received an award from Cheltenham Arts Council in recognition of his work with choirs and other musical organisations in the Cheltenham area.